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Follow the coastal trail to Cape Town on an adventurous 14-day Lonely Planet Experience along the Garden Route and Wild Coast of South Africa. Hit up all the region’s hotspots – elephant spotting in Addo Elephant National Park, wine tasting in the Hermanus Wine Region, hiking in the Lesotho Highlands, meeting local Xhosa communities in Cintsa, and wildlife viewing in Tsitsikamma and Bontebok national parks. Get a sprinkling of safaris thrown in with wine tasting and fig farming, creating a whole South African smorgasbord. When will you sample the local delights?

Our local leaders will give you unique insights and take you to places that only the locals know about.

A powerful partnership

Lonely Planet and Intrepid Travel share the same philosophy: we help curious people explore the world.

Sustainable travel

All our trips are carbon offset and help you to give back to local communities you visit along the way.

Why you'll love this trip

Whether it’s searching for gentle giants on a game drive through Addo Elephant National Park or hiking past antelope in Bontebok National Park, there’s no shortage of wildlife spotting on this adventure.

Embark on a half-day guided walk in the mighty Drakensburg Range – one of many spectacular hikes along the Garden Route that you can choose to discover in your free time.

Rise early with your small group to watch wild meerkats wake and warm in the morning sun, before continuing south to Swellendam – South Africa’s third-oldest town.

Cruise the classic R320 route – stopping by a couple of wineries for local tastings – en route to South Africa's southernmost point at Cape Agulhus.

As you tour the Wild Coast, stop by South Africa’s Xhosa community for an afternoon spent with a local guide, learning about enduring customs and cultures in this tribal group.

Is this trip right for you?

This is an overland trip. That means you’ll be travelling with a group in a purpose-built vehicle, visiting remote communities, setting up your own tent, occasionally roughing it in the bush with no facilities, and getting the best possible views of the Big Five. While the trucks don’t have air conditioning, they do have sliding windows which let in the breeze and make it even easier to take spectacular snaps of the local wildlife. The drive days can be long, but it’s as much about the journey as the destination, and half the fun is the camaraderie. For more info on this style of travel, see our Africa overland page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/africa/overland

For your accommodation and campsites on your adventure, facilities do vary, and wi-fi is not always available. Accommodation upgrades are often available.

There will be many early starts either to make use of the better safari time or to beat the morning traffic on long travel days.

Some passengers on this trip will have been travelling together prior to the start of your trip. To see what more you could do, check out our Kruger, Coast & Cape adventure – search trip code UBOSC on the Intrepid website for more information.

Gallery

Itinerary

Sawubona! Welcome to South Africa. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm this evening. If you arrive early, why not get out and explore Durban – teeming with golden, sandy beaches and glitzy nightlife. The Golden Mile is an essential spot – a stretch of fine sands bordered by rolling surf on one side and an attractive beachfront of skate parks, restaurants and cafes on the other. For dinner, perhaps grab your group and head to Florida Road for traditional Bunny Chow or some fresh seafood – your group leader will be able to recommend their favourite spots.

Accommodation

Dormitory (1 night)

Optional Activities

Durban - Art Gallery - Free

Durban - Bay Cruise - ZAR240

Durban - Juma Masjid Mosque - Free

Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Special Information

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Leave Durban and travel inland towards the majestic Drakensberg mountain range (approximately 5–6 hours). Stop along the way at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site and learn of the history of this great man. Then stretch your legs on a short hike along the Drakensberg mountain chain. Home to an amazing array of flora and fauna, Drakensberg is Southern Africa's highest range – sitting at 3482 metres – and forms part of the border between South Africa and Lesotho. The range is often referred to locally as the Barrier of Spears or the Dragon Mountains. Your accommodation here is in twin rooms with an ensuite at a unique backpacker lodge in Drakensberg. After you’ve settled in, enjoy a drink with your travel group in the thatched-loft lounge room, where there’s a book-swap and internet facilities. You’ll also be able to check out the onsite pool, jacuzzi, barbeque, fire pit and wi-fi.

Accommodation

Lodge (1 night)

Included Activities

Drakensburg - Royal Natal National Park Hike

Howick - Nelson Mandela Capture Site

Meals Included

Breakfast

Dinner

Special Information

For tonight’s accommodation, room upgrades are available (subject to availability).

Enjoy free time to go hiking through this incredible mountain range. It's up to you how much time you spend exploring. Feel free to take a short hike for an hour or so, or perhaps challenge yourself by booking into a full-day hike with a local guide. This is a great chance to learn more about the region from a local as you walk along. Regardless of your level of hiking or exploring today, there are sure to be some amazing views and excellent photo opportunities.

Accommodation

Lodge (1 night)

Optional Activities

Drakensberg - Amphiteatre Day Hike - ZAR590

Meals Included

Leaving Drakensberg behind, head into the mountain kingdom of Lesotho (approximately 7–8 hours). Nestled like a small island in the middle of South Africa, Lesotho is commonly known as the 'Kingdom in the Sky' and has beautiful mountain ranges and endless hiking trails. Generally, the border crossing into Lesotho is quite smooth, but you may experience some delays, depending on the time of year. Drive past the Golden Gate Highlands National Park which is famous for its extraordinary sandstone rock formations. The park is also home to elands, zebras, mongooses and hundreds of bird species – keep your eyes peeled along the way.

Accommodation

Dormitory (1 night)

Meals Included

Today you’ll have a variety of hikes to choose from. The Lesotho Highlands offer excellent hiking for all levels of skill, so depending on your experience and level of fitness, you should be able to choose one that allows you to get the most out of these stunning landscapes.

Accommodation

Dormitory (1 night)

Optional Activities

Lesotho - Bushman Painting Hike - ZAR45

Lesotho - Pitseng Canyon Hike - 6 hours - ZAR65

Lesotho - Village and Museum Walk - ZAR50

Meals Included

Head to the stunning Wild Coast of South Africa and the charming little coastal town of Cintsa (approximately 10–12 hours). Cintsa and its surrounding region are home to Xhosa communities, whose lifestyle is deeply rooted in tribal traditions and customs. You'll soon discover that these warm and friendly people can provide you an insight into their enduring cultures. Arriving in the late afternoon, you will have time to relax and freshen up before an optional group dinner.

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (1 night)

Meals Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Special Information

Your campground has shared facilities, an ATM and wi-fi. Upgrades are possible (subject to availability).

Enjoy some free time to explore the town, relax on the stunning beaches or book one of the many optional activities on offer. You might like to go hiking or mountain biking in the hinterland, hire a canoe to explore the Cintsa River or book in for surfing lesson! Be sure to check in with your group leader to get their recommendations. You can even whip out your Lonely Planet app and see what else there is to do at this coastal hotspot.

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (1 night)

Optional Activities

Cintsa - Village Tour - ZAR235

Cinsta - Canoe Hire - Free

Meals Included

Travel on to Addo Elephant National Park (approximately 7–8 hours). Addo Elephant National Park was created in 1931 to protect the region's eleven remaining elephants and is a true success story in conservation. Today there are over 450 elephants in the park, as well as Cape buffalo, black rhinos, all kinds of antelopes and even the unique flightless dung beetle. On arrival, you'll take an afternoon game drive with your group and try to spot some of these resident creatures, among others, from your truck.

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (1 night)

Included Activities

Addo Elephant National Park - Overland Vehicle Game drive

Optional Activities

Addo Elephant National Park - Night game drive - ZAR275

Meals Included

Breakfast

Dinner

Special Information

Wake early and enjoy another game drive in Addo Elephant National Park in an overland vehicle. Afterwards, begin your journey along the Garden Route, the first stop being Tsitsikamma National Park (approximately 4–5 hours). Steep ancient forests meet the breakers of the Indian Ocean at this park, protecting both land and sea. It's a spectacular place for walking and viewing wildlife. Your group leader will take you to a local activity centre where a range of activities will be on offer, some of which you may like to book for your free day tomorrow.

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (1 night)

Included Activities

Addo Elephant National Park - Overland Vehicle Game drive

Meals Included

Breakfast

Dinner

Special Information

Intrepid has not risk assessed all optional local activities in the Tsitsikamma National Park. Only those listed in the Optional Activities are recommended. If you are unsure about any, please check with your leader. It is against company policy for leaders to facilitate the booking of any activities that have not been risk-assessed or do not adhere to Intrepid's Responsible Travel ethos. This includes organising transport to and from these activities in our vehicles.

The accommodation tonight is a campground with basic shared facilities, an ATM and wi-fi access. Upgrades are possible (subject to availability).

With another day in Tsitsikamma, you’ll have more time to explore this magnificent national park. Cape clawless otters, dolphins, tortoises and southern right whales (depending on the season) are all visitors here, along with baboons, monkeys and a heap of birdlife. See how many of them you can spot on a range of hiking trails, including those to the Stormsriver Mouth and waterfalls.

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (1 night)

Optional Activities

Tsitsikamma - Snorkelling - ZAR100

Tsitsikamma - Stormsriver Mouth Hike - Free

Tsitsikamma - Waterfall Trail - Free

Meals Included

Head out across the arid Karoo region bound for Oudtshoorn (approximately 4–5 hours). Stop off on the way at Knysna to stretch your legs and explore this hamlet with a gorgeous lagoon. Next stop is Weltevrede Fig Farm where you learn how to farm, dry and preserve figs. A short drive then takes you to the Cango Caves, where you’ll have time to explore the weird and wonderful rock formations – one is ‘Cleopatra's Needle’, standing at 29 feet high and at least 150,000 years old. Your local guide will give you all the ins-and-outs of their formation and history. Continue on to Oudtshoorn, known as the ostrich capital of the world. At the turn of the 20th century, it was full of 'feather barons' that grew rich from the popularity of ostrich feathers.

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (1 night)

Included Activities

Oudtshoorn - Cango Caves Guided Tour

Weltevrede - Fig Farm visit

Meals Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Special Information

Your campsite for tonight has hot showers and flush toilets. Upgrades are possible (subject to availability).

Rise and shine very early this morning to spend some time with wild meerkats, part of the so-called Shy 5. Head to their burrow, pull up a chair and sip coffee while the sun comes up and the meerkats climb out into the sunshine. You’ll have time to watch these habituated wild animals, which are never fed or handled by humans, go about their daily routine of foraging and frolicking. Then travel onto Bontebok National Park (approximately 3-4 hours) – the smallest of South Africa's 18 national parks and named after its unusually marked antelopes. Drive towards Swellendam, through towering mountain passes and crossing some of the most beautiful and rugged scenery around. On arrival, take an leader-led orientation walk, perhaps grabbing some lunch afterwards. Swellendam, South Africa’s third-oldest town, has over 50 provincial heritage sites. After lunch take the short drive to set up camp in Bontebok, with the remainder of the afternoon to hike one of the three nature-hiking trails, all starting and ending in the rest camp area. Trail maps are available at the campsite.

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (1 night)

Included Activities

Oudtshoorn - Meerkat Experience

Optional Activities

Bontebok National Park - Hiking Trail - Free

Meals Included

Get up early this morning for your journey to Africa's southernmost point – Cape Agulhus (approximately 5 hours). You'll travel along the famous R320 winery route, visiting two or three wineries along the way, before heading onto the beach side town of Hermanus. This region is highly influenced by the cooling Atlantic Ocean that sweeps up past Cape Town and brings with it a nice breeze that cools down the grapes that are grown here. The predominant local grape varieties are French, German and northern Italian – such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Mourvedre, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinotage.

Accommodation

Camping (with shared facilities) (1 night)

Included Activities

Hermanus - R320 Route Wine Tour

Meals Included

Enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Hermanus, perhaps with a walk from Grotto Beach along the cliff and beach path or along the local shopping strip. Afterwards, drive back to Cape Town via the scenic bay route (approximately 4 hours). With its stunning coastline, dramatic surrounding mountains and modern cityscape, Cape Town is one of Africa's most appealing cities. It's a great place to end your trip, with vineyards, adventure activities and plenty of good restaurants and cafes at your doorstep. You'll be dropped at the centrally located hotel in Cape Town at approximately 3 pm if your group doesn’t encounter any delays. With no activities planned after arriving in Cape Town, you are free to leave at any time.

Optional Activities

Cape Town - Harbour cruise - ZAR200

Cape Town - Robben Island tour - ZAR260

Cape Town - Table Mountain Aerial Cable - ZAR250

Cape Town - Table Mountain Hike - ZAR720

Hermanus - Grotto Beach Walk - Free

Cape Town - False Bay by train and lunch Urban Adventure - USD59

Cape Town - Taste of Woodstock Urban Adventure - USD72

Cape Town - Salt River Street Art Urban Adventure - USD59

Meals Included

Breakfast

Special Information

No accommodation is provided for tonight. If you would like to extend your stay in Cape Town, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability). It's best not to book any flight connections for earlier than 8 pm this evening, in case of any delays, and to allow time to transfer to Cape Town International Airport.

This trip is a Lonely Planet Experience

Our Lonely Planet Experiences include plenty of free time so you can do the things that suit your budget and interests. Between your Intrepid Travel leader’s local knowledge and Lonely Planet’s trusted travel tips and recommendations, your trip will be more epic than ever.

Important notes

1. A single supplement is available on this trip. Please see your booking agent for further information.
2. This trip finishes upon arrival in Cape Town on Day 14. Please do not book any flights until after 8pm this evening.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.